Electric current rectifier



May 17,1932. 0. SEI'TZ 4 1,858,907

ELECTRIC CURRENT RECT IF'IER Filed July 23, 1950 fi/forney Patented May 17, 1932 it IISTATES PATENT oFFIcE osxan SEITZ, onnannn, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR T .AKTIENGESELLSOHAFT BROWN, BOVERI & :crnor BAD-EN, SWITZERLAND, A JOINT-STOCK COMPANY OF swrrzna- LAND;

.. p i ELECTRIC commune RECTIFIER 7 Application filed July 23, 1930, Serial N 0. 470,199, and in Germany .l'uli 26, 1929.

This invention relates to improvement in electric current rectifiers of the metallic vapor type and particularly to an improved construction of the tank and cathode con- 6 tainer of such rectifiers.

In electric current rectifiers of the metallic vapor type in which the container through which the rectifying arc operates is constructed of metal, the holder for the cathode material is usually electrically'insulated from the rectifying tank or cylinder. Ceramic ma-,

terial such as porcelain, when used as the insulation between the cathode well or container and the metallic rectifier tank, do not require any special protection against thermal 5 as because of the excessive mechanical and It is, therefore, among the objects of the present invention to provide a rectifier construction in which the use of porcelain and other ceramic insulators may be avoided for electrically insulating the cathode holder or well from the rectifier cylinder.

against thermal stresses.

Objects and advantages, other than those above set forth, will be apparent from the following description when read in connect1on with the accompanying drawingwhich fragmentarily illustrates an electric current rectifier of the metallic vapor type, in which the rectifying action takes place, in a metallic cylinder embodying the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, the referencenumeral l designates a portion of a rectifier cylinder or tank which is double-walled to permit the circulation of a cooling medium therethrough and which is formed with an aperture 2 through the bottom portion of the tank. The aperture 2 is surrounded by spaced ribs 3 depending 'or extending downwardly from the bottom of the tank in spaced con centric relation. A holder or well 4 for the cathode material 6 is formed to bearranged with. the tank 1 in such manner as to close the aperture 2 in the bottom portion thereof. The cathode well 4: is preferably made doublewalled to permit connection with the doublewalled tank thereby providing a path for the circulation of a cooling medium through both the space between the double walls of the tank and of the cathode well. The upper edge of the cathode well i is formed with. channels 7 so arranged as to receive the ribs 3 descending from the tank 1 in such spaced relation as to form substantially the equivalent of a labyrinth gland. The rectifiertank 1 and the cathode well 4 are spaced and electrically insulated from each other by a gasket. 8 of suitable resilient. insulating material capable of forming a seal between the several portions; The insulating gasket 8 does not require any thermal protection against attachment of the cathode spot thereon or against contact with the mercury vapor for.

the reason that the labyrinth formedby the ribs 3 and the channels 7 prevent direct contact of the cathode spot and the mercury vapor with the gasket 8. The mercury vapor is condensed by contact with the several portions forming the labyrinth and collect in the channels 7 from which it drains back to the cathode 6 through apertures 9. The gasket 8 is cooled by contact with the'cooled' surfaces of both the rectifier tank 1 and the cathode well t and the ribs 3 and channels 7 are so spaced as to avoid formation of a mercury contact therebetween. The gasket is therefore both protected against thermal and mechanical stresses and is so arranged as to avoid the requirement for protection against contact with the cathode spot of the mercury vapor.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a rectifierconstruction in which the tank and cathode well are electrically insulated from each other by means which also serves as a seal without requiring special means for protection against thermal stresses or attachment by the cathode spot. The size and capacity of the rectifier is thus no longer limited by the insulation of the cathode welland the sealing thereof. The danger of destruction of the insulator during operation is avoided thereby increasing the operative safety of the rectifier and the construction and erection of the rectifier is materially simplified and cheapened.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein witnout departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In an electric current rectifier construction, a tank having an aperture through the bottom thereof, the portion of said tank defining the aperture being formed to provide descending ribs, a well for receiving cathode material and to'close the aperture through said tank, the tank engaging edge of said cathode well being formed with channels therein, the ribs and channels being arranged in interspersed noncontacting manner.

2. In an electric current rectifier construction, a tank having an aperture through the bottom portion thereof, the portion of said tank defining the aperture being formed to provide descending ribs, a well for receiving cathode material and for closing the aperture through said tank, the tank engaging edge of said cathode well being formed with channels therein, the ribs and channels being arranged in interspersed non-contacting relation, the channels being connected with the interior of said well by aperturesthrough the walls thereof, and a resilient gasket of electrical insulating material arranged between said tank and said well.

3. In an electric current rectifier, a double-Walled tank having an aperture through the bottom portion thereof and forming a portion of a path for the circulation of a cool ing medium therethrough, the portion of said tank defining the aperture being formed to provide descending ribs, a double-walled well for receiving cathode material and for closket of electrical insulationmaterial arranged between said tank and said well.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of July, A. D.

OSKAR SEITZ. 

